Carl Hester and Fame have been in prime kind within the Paris 2024 Olympic dressage freestyle producing a spectacular take a look at to attain 85.16% – a fraction beneath Carl’s all-time private finest – to enter the provisional lead with simply six mixtures left to go.
“That’s presumably one of the best freestyle I’ve ever accomplished,” mentioned a delighted Carl. “The horse was one of the best he’s been all week – I’m so happy with how he carried out right this moment.”
Fame seemed spectacular, so nicely turned out by his groom Lucy Scudamore, and it was touching to see Gareth Hughes, who has flown out to Paris to assist Carl put together, be the primary to congratulate his long-term teammate as he left the world.
Their ground plan was so technical, with two-time modifications on a curve right into a double pirouette, steep passage half-passes and two-time into one-time modifications.
The extensions, which tripped them up yesterday, have been spot on this time round and their piaffe-passage to Mary Hopkin’s These Have been the Days on the finish of their take a look at was a masterstroke that bought the group on their toes clapping alongside.
“I like this music,” added Carl. “Tom Hunt has accomplished my music for the previous couple of Olympics, I usually simply give him a programme and he says ‘I’m going to do that, do you prefer it?’ whereas this time I believed I would like some music meaning one thing to me and is simply, you understand, enjoyable.
“It was an exquisite experience, he’s not the simplest form as you’ll be able to see, I’m attempting to experience the entire time with my hand on the market to try to get him longer as a result of that’s what I’ve been engaged on for eight years – however it’s all coming collectively.”
Carl’s future was as soon as once more a scorching matter of dialogue.
“Why ought to I not retire after that?” he laughed, “I’m unsure I might repeat that once more!
“There’s two methods of it, both I’m getting higher as a result of right this moment was my finest day. However this sense that you’ve got for days on finish earlier than you compete, I can let you know it’s not simple to reside with, for any of us.
“Most mornings at three o’clock you’re mendacity there along with your eyes large open fascinated with if it’s going to be okay – however proper now I’m on an actual excessive.”
Lottie Fry and Glamourdale would be the final British mixture to go within the freestyle, coming into the world in Versailles at 12.50pm native time (11.50am British time). Becky Moody and Jagerbomb scored 84.36% on their Olympic freestyle debut.
* Finish of particular person dressage replace *
Carl completed in sixth place, with Becky in eighth. Jessica von Bredow-Werndl received gold, forward of Isabell Werth in silver, with Lottie Fry taking bronze.
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Credit score: FEI
Credit score: Peter Nixon
Credit score: Future
